Venetia Williams - 33-1 winner.

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Idole First came from off the pace to spring a 33-1 surprise in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

The six-year-old, trained by Venetia Williams and ridden by Alan O'Keeffe, was only third jumping the last but he stayed on really well up the hill to land the spoils.

Idole First won by five lengths from Dancing Bay (14-1), with Tumbling Dice (16-1) a further six lengths back in third and Covent Garden (14-1) fourth.

You Owe Me took the 29-strong field along from Kasthari and Royaleety, who went on at the top of the hill on the second circuit.

Sharp Rigging made a bold bid for glory, but he came a cropper at the second-last flight, leaving Tumbling Dice in front.

Dancing Bay had his measure, but Nicky Henderson's runner had no answer when Idole First came out of the clouds to claim this highly-competitive handicap hurdle.

A monster gamble on Distant Prospect, backed down to 10-3 favourite, went astray as Tony McCoy's mount could not get into the picture at any stage.

"It's brilliant for the trainer and owner, and it's unbelievable to get the chance to ride a good horse like this. He's a star."

Miss Williams said: "This is something we've planned. We've been talking about Cheltenham for this horse for some time.

"He was a very good horse last year. He's a big horse and it takes time for it all to happen, but he ran very well at Newbury.

"It's fabulous to be in the winner's enclosure at Cheltenham."